Sri Lanka Highlands Voluntour 14D/13N

Sri Lanka Highlands Voluntour 14D/13N

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Sri Lanka Highlands Voluntour 14D/13N

14 Days Starting and ending in Colombo

Visiting: Colombo, Negombo, Kandy, Ohiya, Udawadiya, Haputale, Horton Plains National Park, Bambarakanda Falls, Bandarawela, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Habarana, Polonnaruwa

Tour operator:

Bamba Travel

Tour code:

46174

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Easy

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Hiking, Rail Excursion

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Immerse yourself in the rich culture and beautiful scenery of the remote Sri Lankan tea-growing region for a 14-day voluntour experience. Work alongside local people and give back to the community before discovering some of this amazing country’s natural and historical gems.

Highlights

  • Work with local school kids in an impoverished area

  • Learn from locals as you help give back to the community

  • Immerse yourself in Sri Lankan culture

  • Discover temples, caves, waterfalls, and more!

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Colombo - Negombo, Sri Lanka

Location: Colombo, Negombo

Airport pick-up and transfer to accommodation in Negombo Welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon arrival at the Colombo Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to Negombo for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to relax, explore, and get settled in. Overnight in Negombo.

Day 2: Negombo - Ohiya- Udawadiya, Sri Lanka

Location: Negombo, Colombo, Kandy, Ohiya, Udawadiya

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Train to Ohiya and transfer to Udawadiya This morning we will depart Negombo with a transfer to the Colombo Railway station to catch the train to Ohiya, passing through Kandy. Taking the train from Kandy to Ohiya is the most famous stretch of train travel in Sri Lanka, and is a tourist attraction in itself. Travel in comfort with the ability to walk around the train cars whenever you want, grab a snack in the dining car, meet other travelers and locals, and watch the landscape go by. At each train station along the way, the train cabins will fill up with locals selling treats like freshly cut pineapple and mango, and other traditional snacks. Upon your arrival in Ohiya, you will be transferred from the station to your new home -- a misty mountain lodge in the tea plantation of a very remote village.

Day 3: Udawadiya, Sri Lanka

Location: Udawadiya, Haputale, Horton Plains National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Volunteering Project (4B/4L/4D) This week you will experience your volunteer program in the school & child care center in Udawadiya. This tea plantation village is very isolated and remote, located next to the world famous Horton’s Plains National Park and World’s End. The village has a beautiful panoramic view and cold climate, but suffers from extreme poverty and there is almost no public transportation available. Only one bus goes to the town of Haputale in the morning and back to the tea plantation in the evening, and from the bus people have to walk long distances to their homes. People from Udawadiya work mainly in the tea plantation, but also maintain vegetable gardens with veggies such as leeks, carrots and potatoes. There are three local primary schools for children under 10 years old. After year 5, there are no local options for schooling, and many children stop their studies at this point if they don’t have the means to travel out of town daily for school or move to another area. Each morning you’ll arrive at school at 7:30am to assist with the daily activities and to support the local schoolchildren. You’ll be teaching English and helping the teachers out with any other classes. Throughout your volunteering you’ll be working with two different schools, one with 40 children and another with 75. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet some of the children’s families. On one of these days you will be able to join the local women in the tea plantation to pick tea with them and get a taste of their everyday life.

Day 4 : Days 4: Udawadiya, Sri Lanka

Location: Udawadiya

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Volunteering Project (4B/4L/4D) This week you will experience your volunteer program in the school & child care center in Udawadiya. This tea plantation village is very isolated and remote, located next to the world famous Horton’s Plains National Park and World’s End. The village has a beautiful panoramic view and cold climate, but suffers from extreme poverty and there is almost no public transportation available. Only one bus goes to the town of Haputale in the morning and back to the tea plantation in the evening, and from the bus people have to walk long distances to their homes. People from Udawadiya work mainly in the tea plantation, but also maintain vegetable gardens with veggies such as leeks, carrots and potatoes. There are three local primary schools for children under 10 years old. After year 5, there are no local options for schooling, and many children stop their studies at this point if they don’t have the means to travel out of town daily for school or move to another area. Each morning you’ll arrive at school at 7:30am to assist with the daily activities and to support the local schoolchildren. You’ll be teaching English and helping the teachers out with any other classes. Throughout your volunteering you’ll be working with two different schools, one with 40 children and another with 75. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet some of the children’s families. On one of these days you will be able to join the local women in the tea plantation to pick tea with them and get a taste of their everyday life.

Day 5: Udawadiya, Sri Lanka

Location: Udawadiya, Haputale, Horton Plains National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Volunteering Project (4B/4L/4D) This week you will experience your volunteer program in the school & child care center in Udawadiya. This tea plantation village is very isolated and remote, located next to the world famous Horton’s Plains National Park and World’s End. The village has a beautiful panoramic view and cold climate, but suffers from extreme poverty and there is almost no public transportation available. Only one bus goes to the town of Haputale in the morning and back to the tea plantation in the evening, and from the bus people have to walk long distances to their homes. People from Udawadiya work mainly in the tea plantation, but also maintain vegetable gardens with veggies such as leeks, carrots and potatoes. There are three local primary schools for children under 10 years old. After year 5, there are no local options for schooling, and many children stop their studies at this point if they don’t have the means to travel out of town daily for school or move to another area. Each morning you’ll arrive at school at 7:30am to assist with the daily activities and to support the local schoolchildren. You’ll be teaching English and helping the teachers out with any other classes. Throughout your volunteering you’ll be working with two different schools, one with 40 children and another with 75. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet some of the children’s families. On one of these days you will be able to join the local women in the tea plantation to pick tea with them and get a taste of their everyday life.

Day 6: Udawadiya, Sri Lanka

Location: Udawadiya, Haputale, Horton Plains National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Volunteering Project (4B/4L/4D) This week you will experience your volunteer program in the school & child care center in Udawadiya. This tea plantation village is very isolated and remote, located next to the world famous Horton’s Plains National Park and World’s End. The village has a beautiful panoramic view and cold climate, but suffers from extreme poverty and there is almost no public transportation available. Only one bus goes to the town of Haputale in the morning and back to the tea plantation in the evening, and from the bus people have to walk long distances to their homes. People from Udawadiya work mainly in the tea plantation, but also maintain vegetable gardens with veggies such as leeks, carrots and potatoes. There are three local primary schools for children under 10 years old. After year 5, there are no local options for schooling, and many children stop their studies at this point if they don’t have the means to travel out of town daily for school or move to another area. Each morning you’ll arrive at school at 7:30am to assist with the daily activities and to support the local schoolchildren. You’ll be teaching English and helping the teachers out with any other classes. Throughout your volunteering you’ll be working with two different schools, one with 40 children and another with 75. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet some of the children’s families. On one of these days you will be able to join the local women in the tea plantation to pick tea with them and get a taste of their everyday life.

Day 7: Udawadiya, Sri Lanka

Location: Udawadiya, Horton Plains National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final Volunteer Session & Horton Plains National Park Day Trip This morning you’ll continue with your volunteer project. After lunch, we will head out from the lodge to make our way to Horton Plains National Park. Horton Plains is Sri Lanka's highest plateau at 3,250 meters above sea level, making it an amazingly scenic region with an astounding variety of landscapes from mountains to grasslands. We will take a 3-hour walk to the most famous part of the park, World's End, and its beautiful Bakers Falls. We will take a tuk tuk back to the accommodation.

Day 8: Udawadiya - Bandarawela, Sri Lanka

Location: Bambarakanda Falls, Bandarawela

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bandarawela Falls Hike and lunch with local family After breakfast in the lodge, we will head out for a hike to Bambarakanda Falls, the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. We’ll take a mountain path with panoramic views of the tea plantation the local villages. On the way we’ll go to a small and beautiful waterfall in the forest where we can take a refreshing swim and have a picnic. After lunch and a rest we’ll continue to the towering Bambarakanda Falls. The walk is about 4 to 5 hours. After seeing the stunning falls we’ll be transferred to Bandarawela village to stay the night stay with a local family. Share the experience of preparing a traditional Sri Lankan meal with rice and vegetable curries.

Day 9: Bandarawela- Kandy, Sri Lanka

Location: Kandy

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Kandy for Sightseeing This morning we will drive to Kandy to discover the famous Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. The stunning gardens are idyllically situated on a peninsula in the Mahaweli River. It is said to be one of the most beautiful gardens in Asia and attracts about 1.2 million visitors each year. After spending some time in this beautiful place, we will visit the holy Tooth Temple, which is said to have guarded Buddha's teeth since the early start of Buddhism.

Day 10: Bandarawela- Kandy, Sri Lanka

Location: Kandy

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Kandy for Sightseeing This morning we will drive to Kandy to discover the famous Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. The stunning gardens are idyllically situated on a peninsula in the Mahaweli River. It is said to be one of the most beautiful gardens in Asia and attracts about 1.2 million visitors each year. After spending some time in this beautiful place, we will visit the holy Tooth Temple, which is said to have guarded Buddha's teeth since the early start of Buddhism.

Day 11: Kandy - Matale District - Habarana, Sri Lanka

Location: Dambulla, Sigiriya, Habarana

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dambulla Cave Temple & fortress of Sigiriya visits. Drive to Habarana This morning we will drive to Dambulla to visit the famous cave temple. Dambulla is a part of the UNESCO-designated Cultural Triangle. There are over 80 caves in the surrounding area, and some of them have been used by the monks as meditation locations. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves containing amazing statues and the paintings. Since its founding in the first century BC by King Valagamba, many improvements and additions have been carried out to the sculptures and paintings over the years here. The temple is a perfect location to view evolution of the ancient Sri Lankan arts. This afternoon we will visit the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya, rising two hundred meters from the jungle floor. Another World Heritage Site, the fortress is now one of Sri Lanka's major attractions. During our visit to this unique complex, we will see water gardens, ancient frescoes, and more. Dinner and overnight in Habarana or close by.

Day 12: Habarana-  Polonnaruwa- Negombo, Sri Lanka

Location: Polonnaruwa, Negombo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Polonnaruwa Sightseeing - Transfer to Negombo This morning we will visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which served as Sri Lanka's capital city from the 11th to the 13th century. Here we can admire the remains of sprawling temple estates, three enormous Buddha statues, and other historic temples. After, we will drive to Negombo.

Day 13: Negombo, Sri Lanka

Location: Negombo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Negombo Free Day After a long and action-packed journey, enjoy a full free day to relax on the beach! Soak up the Sri Lankan sun and explore the city at your leisure. Overnight in Negombo.

Day 14: Negombo - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Location: Negombo, Colombo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Colombo Airport Drop-Off All good things must end. Today you will be dropped off at the airport in time for your outbound flight. Happy trails!

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    13N Basic 4-bed dorms

  • Transport

    Airport transfers, all transport
    Colombo airport pick-up & drop-off
    Private transfers between destinations

  • Meals

    13B / 12L / 12D

  • Activities

    Volunteering and sightseeing
    5 days volunteering
    Tea picking
    Hortons Plains National Park day trip
    Bandarawela Falls hike
    Kandy sightseeing
    Dambulla cave temple visit
    Polonnaruwa sightseeing

  • Guides

    English-speaking tour guide

What's Not Included

  • Other meals/drinks

  • Personal expenses

  • Tips

  • Visa fees

Mode of Transport

Experience seamless travel with airport transfers, all transport included, and private transfers between destinations, ensuring a hassle-free journey.

Accommodation

Enjoy 13 nights in basic 4-bed dorms, providing a comfortable and communal living experience throughout your stay.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour provides 13 nights in basic 4-bed dorms, offering a comfortable and communal living experience throughout your stay.

  • What kind of meals are included in the tour?

    The tour includes 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 12 dinners.

  • What activities are included in the tour?

    The tour includes various activities such as 5 days of volunteering, tea picking, a day trip to Hortons Plains National Park, a hike to Bandarawela Falls, sightseeing in Kandy, a visit to the Dambulla cave temple, and sightseeing in Polonnaruwa.

  • What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes airport transfers, all transport, Colombo airport pick-up and drop-off, and private transfers between destinations.

  • What will I be doing during the volunteering days?

    During the volunteering days, you will assist with daily activities at local primary schools, teach English, help teachers with other classes, and have the opportunity to meet some of the children's families. You will also join local women in the tea plantation to pick tea.

  • What is the highlight of the train journey from Kandy to Ohiya?

    The train journey from Kandy to Ohiya is the most famous stretch of train travel in Sri Lanka, offering the ability to walk around the train cars, grab a snack in the dining car, meet other travelers and locals, and watch the landscape go by. The train cabins fill up with locals selling treats like freshly cut pineapple and mango, and other traditional snacks.

  • What can I expect during the visit to Horton Plains National Park?

    During the visit to Horton Plains National Park, you will take a 3-hour walk to the most famous part of the park, World's End, and its beautiful Bakers Falls. The park is Sri Lanka's highest plateau at 3,250 meters above sea level, offering an amazingly scenic region with a variety of landscapes from mountains to grasslands.

  • What will I experience during the hike to Bandarawela Falls?

    During the hike to Bandarawela Falls, you will take a mountain path with panoramic views of the tea plantation and local villages. You will visit a small and beautiful waterfall in the forest where you can take a refreshing swim and have a picnic. The hike continues to the towering Bambarakanda Falls, the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka.

  • What are the main attractions in Kandy?

    In Kandy, you will visit the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, which are said to be one of the most beautiful gardens in Asia, and the holy Tooth Temple, which is said to have guarded Buddha's teeth since the early start of Buddhism.

  • What will I see at the Dambulla Cave Temple?

    At the Dambulla Cave Temple, you will see over 80 caves in the surrounding area, with major attractions spread over 5 caves containing amazing statues and paintings. The temple is a UNESCO-designated site and offers a view of the evolution of ancient Sri Lankan arts.

  • What is special about the rock fortress of Sigiriya?

    The rock fortress of Sigiriya, rising two hundred meters from the jungle floor, is a World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka's major attractions. During the visit, you will see water gardens, ancient frescoes, and more.

  • What can I expect during the visit to Polonnaruwa?

    During the visit to Polonnaruwa, you will admire the remains of sprawling temple estates, three enormous Buddha statues, and other historic temples. Polonnaruwa served as Sri Lanka's capital city from the 11th to the 13th century.

  • What will I do on the free day in Negombo?

    On the free day in Negombo, you can relax on the beach, soak up the Sri Lankan sun, and explore the city at your leisure.

  • Is there an age limit?

    No! Most of our bamba travellers fall between the ages of 18 - 35, but everyone is young at heart and welcome to come experience the world with us! If you are between the ages of 18 and 118, we invite you to travel with bamba and have the time of your life! Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Most of our trips cater to the adventurous independent traveller. In fact, many of our travellers arrive on their own and quickly find that they easily meet like-minded people along the way at their hostels, on transportation, or during activities.

  • Do I need travel insurance?

    We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip, especially when travelling in developing countries. Bamba does not include travel insurance of any type.Your current medical insurance may cover part of your trip, so it is important for you to become familiar with your current coverage. We recommend purchasing additional travel insurance that provides coverage for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation and repatriation, lost or stolen items and unforeseen cancellations. If you plan to participate in activities such as white-water rafting, trekking, sand-buggy rides, etc please make sure they are included in your policy.

Reviews of this operator

Jonas Nesset(Norway)  

The company is exceptional. When...

Dec 10 2019

The company is exceptional. When I had questions, I always got prompt and professional answers. The excursions that Bamba organized were fantastic! Thank you once again for everything!

Shane Alce(United Kingdom)  

For true explorers....

Aug 12 2019

For true explorers.

Marian Reder(Germany)  

To this day, this is...

Oct 2 2019

To this day, this is the best tour we've ever done together as a couple! The fun activities, great hotels and nice guides worth the money! We were always taken care of and they made sure that we had a good time. This tour is definitely worth taking.

Tanja Ottosen(Denmark)  

The Bamba Team really made...

Jan 9 2020

The Bamba Team really made my journey one of the most memorable experiences of my life! Still so nice and supportive! They handled everything and responded to each question within a few minutes. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. Especially if you want to do a lot of activities and travel to a lot of different places without feeling rushed. They've also helped me with specific issues that weren't covered by the tour, as well as answering general questions. Thank you so much for making my journey so enjoyable!

Braiden Rowe(United States)  

The tour was fantastic; I...

Feb 12 2020

The tour was fantastic; I was able to visit some of Japan's most beautiful locations, and the accommodations were excellent, with convenient access to the city's best attractions. Also, our tour guide was fantastic. I will pick bamba again and recommend the tour to anyone who wants to see Japan while having a good time!!

Aaron Davies(Australia)  

I only have good words...

Oct 23 2019

I only have good words about our trip to Kenya. The entire experience was totally magical and I struggle to say how fantastic it was. We were fortunate enough to have a brilliant vehicle for ourselves, but we had great luck with David for our guide too. He was very knowledgeable, courteous and nice. Thank you for helping to create this fantastic safari experience. I Highly recommend this company.

Matteo Hoffmeister(Germany)  

Bamba Experience has been the...

Jun 5 2019

Bamba Experience has been the best tour guide I've ever had. Every tour has been a thrilling experience. There are so many things to choose from. Bamba has been extremely helpful in providing us with all of the necessary information for our departures and activities! Bamba has made this a simple and enjoyable experience. I'll certainly tell my friends and family about it! Thank you very much, Bamba!!

Melanie Liu Chang(Australia)  

We organized a trip through...

Feb 20 2020

We organized a trip through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia on the hop-on, hop-off bus. It made the trip so much simpler for us as first-time travelers because we just had to send an email to arrange the bus, which avoided the hassle of looking for the best price and so on! We also had a number of tours included, they were all amazing and saved us the trouble of trying to find the best offers on our own; it also meant we got to see a lot of stuff we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that I will strongly suggest and use again!

Marius Halvorson(Norway)  

Our Bamba tour of Vietnam...

Jun 25 2019

Our Bamba tour of Vietnam was fantastic. We had a lot of new experiences and all of the help we needed to make this a stress-free vacation. The well-organized accomodation and transportation were excellent. We will certainly use Bamba in the future.

Alexis Helman(Australia)  

I had booked our Uyuni...

Jun 25 2019

I had booked our Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 3D/2N (Uyuni to Atacama) tour via an Australian travel agency, but they had made an error and refused to assist us or take responsibility. This was very difficult for us because we wanted to have a stress-free honeymoon. I contacted Bamba and I asked if we could talk on the phone so they made the improvements to our tour reservation that our travel agent declined to make. The quality of service was exceptional and they generously offered to us a complimentary gift because it was our honeymoon. I can't say enough good things about Bamba.

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  • Free Date Changes

    Bamba Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Bamba Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform bamba travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Bamba Travel requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of bamba travel charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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